Friday, May 27, 2011

June is National Iced Tea Month

June is National Iced Tea Month and what better way to celebrate the warm weather and get into shape than to reward yourself with a refreshing and healthy home-brewed glass of Iced Tea?

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water. In 2010, Americans consumed well over 65 billion servings of tea, or over 3 billion gallons. Of that, approximately 85% of tea consumed in America is iced. Iced Tea is a hydrating alternative to sugary beverages like soda, and might help boost weight loss efforts, along with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

A new research study on the effect of green tea catechins published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showcases epidemiologic evidence that routine tea consumption of an average of about two cups a day is associated with a lower percentage of body fat and weight control than in those who are not drinking tea.

For consumers who want to follow the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend eating a diet with less sugar, tea is the recommended beverage of choice.